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Black Tie

Troy and Dr. Sidney Turner with Resilient Retreat's famous therapy dog, Journey.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • October 5, 2025
Resilient Retreat luncheon teaches lessons of trauma recovery

The Pathways to Resilience event Oct. 1 welcomed several guest speakers to the lunch and learn.

  • Black Tie
The Girls Inc. Totally Tailgate team
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • September 8, 2025
Girls Inc. scores with Totally Tailgate

The annual football-themed event raises money for the nonprofit that teaches girls to be strong, smart and bold.

  • Black Tie
Daniella Padilla and Mala Vavourakis
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • June 2, 2025
Grand Carnival event puts pride on parade

Project Pride SRQ's fourth annual event dazzled attendees with "Palm Royale" theme.

  • Black Tie
Sports Center anchor and tonight's gala emcee Kevin Negandhi, UF basketball coach Todd Golden, Dick Vitale, ESPN's Hannah Storm, former WNBA player Nancy Lieberman, U Conn head coach Dan Hurley and V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • May 4, 2025
Dick Vitale Gala expects to surpass $100M raised for pediatric cancer research

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the event welcomed a crowd of sports celebrities among its 1,000 attendees.

  • Black Tie
VMA Shine On gala co-Chairs are Edward and Jade Valdez and Brenda and Jeff Gaines.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 28, 2025
Footballer Ray Sherman gives message of inspiration at Shine On! Extravaganza

Once an NFL coach, Sherman was the keynote speaker at the gala, which is Visible Men Academy's spring fundraiser.

  • Black Tie
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast president and CEO Kamala Martinez with her husband, Joe.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 26, 2025
Bigs and Littles celebrated at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Spring Soiree

The dinner featured a silent auction to raise money for the nonprofit.

  • Black Tie
Laura Stuart and Rosemarie Poplin
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 26, 2025
En Plein Air Wine Dinner delights Sarasota Art Museum supporters

The evening featured a South Africa-inspired meal paired with wines curated by Michael Klauber of Michael's On East.

  • Black Tie
Honorée Nancy Roucher with her granddaughter Zoe Schuver.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 25, 2025
Sarasota Jewish Theatre honors Nancy Roucher's legacy in the arts

The organization celebrated the longtime arts advocate at a luncheon also featuring a performance by the Michael Ross Quartet.

  • Black Tie
Guest Conductor Stuart Chafetz
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 18, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra patrons spend a night at the Pops Supper Club

The fundraiser featured an elegant dinner paired with a one-night-only pops performance.

  • Black Tie
Boys and Girls Club CEO Bill Sadlo and Tennis Ball Co-Chair Barb Lancer
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 13, 2025
Sarasota Open patrons enjoy white-themed Tennis Ball amid annual tennis tournament

The dinner, presented by the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open tennis tournament, benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

  • Black Tie
Nicole Radomski with Trooper, Shelby Welch with Freckles and Natalie Tilton with Rusty. These pit-mix pups are waiting to find their forever families.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 13, 2025
Mission Pawssible helps Humane Society of Sarasota County find forever homes for area animals

The entertaining and heart-warming luncheon helped raise funds to rehabilitate stray animals and connect them with new families.

  • Black Tie
Virginia Harshman, Kristin Oldham, Kym Copeland and Mary Gratehouse
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 11, 2025
Selby teaches guests about topiary design at Lunch in the Gardens

The bayfront event featured a live demonstration and interactive talk with topiary designer Mike Gibson.

  • Black Tie
Tom and Kathy Cook with CEO Philip Tavill
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 6, 2025
Children First enchants guests with the 25th Anniversary Fairytale Ball

Gala treats supporters to a magical night with its "Magic is All Around Us" theme.

  • Black Tie
Alina Cemitier, event Co-Chair Jen Flanders, Juli Rowe and Phillip Kellogg
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 6, 2025
Guests support Child Protection Center at Blue Ties & Butterflies

The annual dinner raises money to help prevent and support survivors of child abuse.

  • Black Tie
Strong, Smart and Bold Leadersip Award Honoree Sloan Cox and co-chair of the celebration luncheon Sofia Zavala
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 6, 2025
35th Celebration Luncheon honors mission of creating strong, smart, bold girls

Girls Inc. gave awards to Stacey Corley, Tammy Karp, Bart and Joan Levenson and girls Sloan Cox and Luna Rojas Cruz at its annual luncheon.

  • Black Tie
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
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Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
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  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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